Defining Commitment

Students have equitable access to rigorous and relevant learning.

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

At the heart of our instructional program, students are challenged to excel. The learning standards for each content area drive the learning for students, and the instructional process is facilitated by highly effective teachers to make the learning relevant. As students progress through school, they are offered multiple options to pursue aligned with their own personal goals. We believe choice is an important element to ensure that learning is most relevant and meaningful for students.

Vision for 1.1:

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Provide differentiated instructional programs for students to pursue aligned with their goals, aspirations, and potential.

• Continue to implement Instructional Pathways for students, including:

  • Fairlead Academy

  • Academy of Finance

  • Academy of Global and International Studies

  • Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

  • STEM Academy

• Expand opportunities for students aimed at future success, such as:

  • Middle School Intervention and Support Program

  • Alternative educational program review

Provide avenues and access for students in relevant learning, including rigorous, college and career-ready courses

• Promote Dual Enrollment programs for students to access college coursework, including:

  • Dual Enrollment - CSM Campus

  • Dual/Concurrent Enrollment - SMCPS courses

  • Articulated coursework

• Promote programs for students, including a variety of programs at the Dr. James A. Career and Technology Center, that prepares students to be college and career ready.

• Provide differentiated coursework with online access to programs such as Apex and blended learning

• Promote participation in AP coursework

• Provide differentiated instructional programming for students

  • All students have access to a rigorous and relevant curriculum

  • Individualized education plans assist students in accessing curriculum to meet instructional goals.

• Provide professional development to staff on meeting the needs of all learners, including:

  • Teaching with poverty in mind

  • Supporting gifted and talented learners

  • Instructional strategies for English language learners

  • Instructional strategies for students with special needs

  • Use of programs such as Pathways to provide access for all learners

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Enrollment in academy programs and completion rates

• Enrollment in AP and attainment of AP scores of 3 or better

• Dual enrollment in college courses and credits earned

• JAFCTC program completion and industry certifications earned

• UMD, CTE and Dual Program completion rates for graduating classes 

• Utilization of intervention programs such as APEX

Students are engaged in learning experiences that meet their needs and interests.

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Each student is unique, as are their interests and aspirations. Throughout their educational experiences, we provide multiple opportunities for students to engage in ways that best match their learning style, their needs, and interests. These opportunities are designed within and outside the classroom walls.

Vision for 1.2:

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Provide students with choice and differentiated pathways, such as the academy pathways and career and technology paths. 

• Expand opportunities for students to earn credits, including e-learning and dual enrollment options with colleges and universities.

  • Explore the possibilities of a virtual high school program

• Provide sequenced pathways for college and career readiness.

• Provide a multitude of extracurricular and co-curricular programs for students

• Provide students in grades 6 through grade 12 with access to a career development program where students develop a progressive online portfolio inclusive of activities including interest inventories, skill assessment, career searches, and university program research and selection.

Provide students early opportunities for growth and development.

• Expand access and opportunities for high quality early childhood programs prior to kindergarten

• Support programs such as Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten for early childhood education

• Facilitate access to Child Find services families to support early childhood learning needs

• Integrating instructional technologies to enhance and extend learning

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Enrollment in academy and pathway programs

• College and career pathway completer rates

• Student online portfolio completion rates

• Student participation in programs

• Enrollment in Pre-Kindergarten and Head Start programs

• Expanded programs for early childhood (e.g., moving towards universal pre-K)

Students are safe and supported in their academic, social, and emotional growth. 

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Schools support the academic, social and emotional safety and well-being of all students. Therefore, learning environments are safe and nurturing. Staff create an environment of respect and rapport to encourage and cultivate respectful interactions in the classroom. In a respectful environment, all students feel valued and safe. Building and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment is a system-wide commitment.

Vision for 1.3:

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Implement system-wide initiatives to engage students and elicit their input in what support and resources they need.

• Implement the Superintendent's Student Leadership Advisory Council, involving students across the system

• Host monthly meeting with students at each school with their principal to review school data and student concerns / to include attendance, discipline, and climate

• Support the Student Member of the Board in being the voice of students

Provide a multi-tiered approach to support students in promoting positive behaviors and actions

• Provide for an ongoing review with stakeholders examining best practices for managing and responding to student behavior.

• Collaborate with provide mentoring involving school and community partners to support students

• Teaching social skills explicitly and actively teaching desired behaviors

• Promoting and supporting students through intervention, rehabilitation and proactive, restorative practices

Provide ongoing support for students through school counseling and support services:

• Focus on relationships

• Feedback to students for growth

• Stability of resources and support for students

• Support for students in attaining their academic goals

• Increased access to mental health services for students and families

• Provide support for programs that promote positive relationships and behavior, such as PBIS and restorative justice

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Average daily attendance

• Student discipline data, including suspensions

• Student involvement in advisory groups

• Increased access to mental health services for students and families

• Student support services, mentoring, peer assistance

• Achievement of students in meeting academic goals (e.g., enrollment in college, etc)

Student learning is aligned to nationally recognized standards.

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Instruction is aligned with the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards and students are engaged in a meaningful and rigorous course of study designed to guide them in: demonstrating independence and perseverance; Constructing arguments, to comprehend, critique, and support with evidence; and using resources, strategies, and tools to demonstrate strong content knowledge.

Vision for 1.4

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Implement the highest quality instructional program aligned to state and national standards

• Implement aligned curricula to the state and national standards (MCCRS, C3, and NGSS) supported by new materials;

• Implement walkthroughs and formative assessments.

• Develop tools and resources to guide instruction and measure student mastery of instructional standards

• Provide ongoing and differentiated professional development for staff to support instruction aligned to standards

• Implement an instructional approach to support reading, inclusive of targeted support based on ongoing assessment at Title I schools

• Alignment of local curricula and assessments to standards

Provide consistent and timely communication about student progress

• Implementation of standards-based report cards

• Continue the use of the Home Access Center as an interactive and transparent system for reporting grades and student progress

Provide professional development aligned to standards

• Promote professional conversations about progress toward standards

• Teacher observation and feedback aligned to standards

• Implement ongoing professional development as a component part of the school year calendar

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Increased student mastery of standards reflected in local, state, and national assessments

• High levels of achievement on state/national assessments

• Elimination of achievement gaps

Student learning is measured in a fair, meaningful, and timely way.

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Student learning is measured in the level of mastery of content standards. Assessment is part of the instructional process and learning is measured through ongoing, formative reviews of student learning.

Vision for 1.5

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Provide explicit feedback to parents and students on progress toward the mastery of standards 

• Portal for providing teacher review, feedback, and grading related to learning standards to students and parents/guardians (HAC/TAC)

• Provide detailed feedback to students/families about progress toward mastery of specific instructional standards

Implement state assessments aligned to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards

• Implement state assessment to measure what students know and can do when entering kindergarten

• Implement a comprehensive state directed assessment program to measure student progress and growth

Implement national, standardized assessments as appropriate

• Administer assessment used for determining college readiness and placement for the College of Southern Maryland and other colleges

• Administer national assessments of student knowledge and proficiency for aligned AP courses

Implement a comprehensive local assessment program

• Administer locally developed assessments using both online and traditional media for measuring student mastery of standards aligned to content

• Embed performance based assessments that provide for the application of multiple standards in authentic formative instruction

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

State and national assessments, such as:

• SAT, ACT, AP assessments

• PARCC/MCAP Assessments

• High School Assessments

• ACCESS/WIDA 

Local assessments, including:

• Pre-, mid-, and post-assessments (as applicable)

• Formative assessments

• Performance assessments

Student learning is designed to support students' preparation for a balanced lifestyle.

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

We recognize that the years in school prepare students beyond the world of academics, and we realize the importance of social and emotional preparation beyond the walls of the classroom. Therefore, education is preparation for decision making, critical thinking, and involvement in activities in a balanced lifestyle.

Vision for 1.6:

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Provide ongoing opportunities for student feedback, including:

• Supporting active and inclusive student councils

• Implementing the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Advisory Council

• School visits and “town hall meetings” with students

Provide support student support programs, including:

• Student counseling

• Peer mentoring

• Promoting civility and acceptance

Provide opportunities to think critically and problem solve in real world applications.

• Embedded performance-based tasks within the curriculum  

• Participation in Model UN and similar programs

Offer programs and student activities that are driven by student interest

• Expansive extra-curricular activities to engage students in their interests

PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

• Student involvement in advisory groups and student council

• Student engagement in extracurricular activities

• After school programs, intramurals

• One lunch

• Arts

• Student safety programs

• Bullying prevention

Staff have a deep understanding of factors that impact learning

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Our commitment to our students begins with our commitment to staff, and professional development is critical. Our instructional program begins with an understanding of what it takes for students to learn. This means recognizing that to educate students academically, we must address the needs of the whole child.

Vision for 2.1:

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Support all staff in their ongoing professional development to effectively serve our students.

• Continue partnerships with colleges & universities for programs offered locally focused on understanding and educating our diverse student population, including such programs as:

• • Notre Dame Master’s program for teachers of English Language Learners

  • Notre Dame Ph.D. in Educational Leadership for Changing Populations

  • Towson STEM, Middle School Math, Reading Specialist

  • System-developed and taught PD, Direct Billing

Provide ongoing professional development for support staff to understand learning and adolescent development

• Facilitate leadership book studies and professional development in understanding and educating students facing the challenges of living in situations of poverty and economic distress 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Staff participating in professional development

• Staff earning credit in graduate or advanced coursework

• Embedded strategies for supporting students

Staff are highly qualified, effective, and diverse

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

We want the very best for our students. For each position across the school system, we set high standards to ensure they are the most qualified for the role they play, and we support them in performing effectively in those roles. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of diversity and strive to meet the goal of our staff mirroring the diversity of our student population.

Vision for 2.2:

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Ensure that staff meet or exceed the qualifications required for the positions they hold.

• Maintain high standards for screening and interviewing candidates for positions

• Provide support through mentoring and induction programs

Evaluate staff with a focus on professional growth.

• Continue systems of performance assessment utilizing multiple levels of evaluation, support, and intervention in evaluation (TPAS, LPAS, etc.)

• Work with associations to develop companion systems of evaluation for support staff classifications

Recruit and retain a diverse workforce to reflect the community we serve.

• Recruitment of Highly Effective and Diverse Staff among socio-economic categories

• Expand the various  modes of recruitment to include in-person, online, virtual, and other means to reach an expansive pool of applicants

• Partner with community organizations and educational institutions to expand our recruitment efforts with a focus on diversity, to include:

• Partnerships with HBCU & NAACP for Student and Staff College recruitment

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Staff hired meet or exceed qualifications criteria

• All staff are evaluated according to evaluation processes

Staff are engaged in an open, trusting, and solution-oriented environment

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

We are all on the same team. Our work together is bound together with a common purpose, and collaboration is essential as we strive to achieve our goals. To this end, honest communication and focused problem solving are hallmarks of our work.

Vision for 2.3:

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Provide opportunities for ongoing communication and collaboration to address issues and solution-focused work 

• Implement evaluation systems that include individual goal setting, such as the SLO process for professional staff

• Provide orientation programs and ongoing induction and support for staff to foster support, including orientation programs for Support Staff, Certificated Staff, and Leadership

• Facilitate mentoring partnerships for new employees and staff new to positions across the system

• Continue open sessions for sharing concerns and issues to address challenges together with the associations

PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

• Implementation of evaluation systems including goal setting

• Staff involvement in orientation and support programs

• Mentors assigned and supported throughout the year

• Implementation of collaborative sessions for problem solving

Staff actively drive their learning and advancement

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Purposeful goal setting is an essential element of professional development. As staff members work toward their personal goals, systems are in place to support them.  

Vision for 2.4:

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Support all staff members through professional development opportunities aimed at advancing their skills and knowledge aligned to their role

• Support teachers in their efforts to achieve National Board Certification through mentoring and financial enhancements

• Support innovative and unique opportunities for professional growth

• Setting learning goals in evaluation documents

• Utilize the goal setting and SLO process as an ongoing, working document to evolve with the needs of students

Support staff members in their ongoing professional development geared toward advancing their skills and knowledge for potential advancements

• Institutionalize support through the negotiated agreement for Para to Teacher Step Placement

• Provide financial incentives and tuition reimbursement for support staff enrolled in a teacher education program

• Continue Professional Development Plan documents for Certification Renewal

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Staff earning and maintaining certification

• Staff rated as effective or highly effective

Staff are supported and accountable in meeting expectations for performance

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Performance systems are in place to convey the expectations for performance for each employee group. Consistent practices for review and feedback drive professional development and evaluation.

Vision for 2.5:

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Implement evaluation systems reflective of expectations of performance, with a focus on support for professional growth

• Hold workgroup to redevelop the support staff evaluation tool

• Alignment of leadership systems to new state standards

• Expand the capabilities of the online evaluation system to promote staff interaction and ownership of artifacts reflective of their practice

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• Design and development of new support staff evaluation systems

• Alignment of evaluation systems to state standards for performance, as appropriate

• Implementation of evaluation systems and accountability to meeting benchmarks of performance

Leadership is grown from within the school system

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

We believe there is great potential for leadership in our staff. Supporting aspiring leaders through professional development, mentoring, and coaching helps us identify and support future leaders.

Vision for 2.6:

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Provide  opportunities for professional development to assist staff in meeting personal goals

• Continue programs such as the University of Maryland Doctoral Program for School Leaders

• Continue to provide professional development to IRTs in their roles as teacher leaders

• Continue to support National Board Certification

Expand programs focused on leadership development, such as

• Leadership Academy,

• Teacher Leadership Programs,

• Tomorrow’s Leaders,

• Internships for Administrative, Counselors, and Teachers.

Support and promote collaborative professional learning teams and professional learning communities, with a focus on teacher leadership

• Continue to support school-based teacher leadership teams, such as PLCs

Provide opportunities for support staff to guide and support their ongoing professional development

• Foster partnerships with CSM or Associations for support staff PD

• Provide ongoing professional development by Human Resources 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• PLCs in schools

• Partnership with associations to develop skills for professional growth

School facilities are well maintained, safe, and welcoming learning environments

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Learning is impacted by the environment. Therefore, we ensure that our classrooms and schools are spaces in which students can thrive. Maintaining equipment, technology, and infrastructure is essential, as is ensuring students safety.

Vision for 3.1:

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Support the ongoing attention to a proactive approach to maintaining and developing our infrastructure.

• Reduce average age of facilities, particularly key infrastructure components, including:

• Technology infrastructure

• Operational and systemic infrastructure

• Reduce reliance on relocatables to meet capacity needs

• Fully implement integrated CIP plan commensurate with needs

Provide support for projecting system needs, including staffing

• Provide staffing to properly maintain school buildings and systems aligned to national standards

Provide for the safe transportation of students each day

• Students transported safely and efficiently  

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Continue to implement transition plans to replace unreliable or dated equipment, etc…

• Implementation of safety/security plans

• Continuation and refinement of ADA modifications to support student, staff, and community access

• Reduce unplanned work orders by proactively addressing regular equipment maintenance needs

School culture supports the social and emotional safety and well-being of students

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Educating the whole child means providing for their physical, emotional, and social safety. A focus on wellness extends beyond the classroom walls and is part of our focus throughout the whole campus.

Vision for 3.2:

Provide a coordinated student services program to support students and their ability to access their learning.

• Staff to provide coordinated student services at each school.

• School Counselors

• School Nurses

• Pupil Personnel Workers

• School Psychologists

• In-School Intervention Center Staff

Implement curricula focused on teaching social and emotional skill development.

• School Counseling Program curricula includes, but not limited to, Second Step, Steps to Respect, and Suicide Prevention

• Character Education

• Life Skills

Implement a multi-tiered system of behavioral interventions to support struggling students.

• Provide general supports available at all schools, including behavior plans, individual counseling, small group counseling, and student/parent conferences.

• Implement Zones of Regulation, Check and Connect, and Check In Check Out for students with challenging behaviors.

• Adopt restorative justice practices, including restorative classrooms, peer mediation, student courts, and peacemaking circles.

Coordinate the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework in selected schools.

• Assign coaches to support school teams with implementation of the framework.

• Provide professional development to enhance the implementation at each school.

• Assess annual implementation of the framework in each school to determine fidelity and future planning.

Provide health services to support student wellness.

• Staff school health centers with full-time nurses to provide on-site medical support.

• Coordinate student flu clinics, vision screening, and hearing screening.

Offer after school programs to provide individual student enrichment, extended academic supports, and social and emotional skill development.

• Provide tutoring to support academic achievement.

• Engage students in enrichment activities to support classroom learning.

• Offer adult mentoring for students through community volunteers.

• Future Leaders of the World

• School staff

• Provide services through the Evening Counseling Center.

 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Enrollment/participation in program

• Attendance, academic, and behavioral data

• PBIS Data

• Therapeutic pre and post assessment data

School programs support the development of the whole child

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

We maintain our facilities to promote safe, secure, and welcome learning environments. In addition, we provide resources to support wellness for our students and our staff. 

Vision for 3.3:

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Provide for student wellness through a nutritious meal program

• Provide expanded meal programs for students with healthy options and ensure students have ready access to meals

• Maximize use of federal and state reimbursement opportunities by providing attractive food options throughout the school day

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Provide nutritious meals for students

• Provide expanded breakfast program for students across all grade levels, including accessible, quick, and healthy meals

• Provide access to local produce

• Expand year round options for access to meals

School buildings support learning, effectiveness, and efficiency

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

It is our responsibility to be efficient with our resources - which includes our buildings and facilities. Well-maintained buildings and energy efficiency practices are a reflection of our commitment to sustainability.

Vision for 3.4:

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Provide state of the art technology infrastructure for student learning and program efficiency

• Expand systems and infrastructure to support seamless instructional opportunities and timely communication

Implement expanded energy efficiency program

• Monitor, maintain, and implement environmental hygiene program

• Review utility usage data to understand energy use trends and to address possible infrastructure problems that may reduce energy efficiency 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Providing current, up-to-date technology to support instructional and program needs

• Implement technology plan and maintain viable equipment for student and staff needs.

• Develop and implement plan to improve ongoing communication, including appropriate infrastructure components, as well as “soft” systems for providing information and access

Family and community members are welcomed as supportive partners

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Educating our students is our mission, and we cannot do it alone. Parents, guardians, and the community as a whole all play a part in supporting our students.

Vision for 4.1:

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Fully employ online communication systems to open avenues for communication and shared collaboration with families and community members 

• Expand the use of social media to provide a constant stream of communication

• Provide learning opportunities for parents, e.g., Title I parent workshops

Offer opportunities for partners, community members, and parents to provide input, ideas, feedback, and support

• Provide open forums for feedback through various media 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Submission of comments and feedback

• Participation in public sessions

• Summary of partnership activities

Two-way communication with stakeholders is open, honest, and timely

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

As we work together in support of our students, open, honest, and timely communication is an imperative. Providing constant communication through a variety of media is important, but it cannot be one-way. Rather, we must have open avenues for getting input and open dialogue with our stakeholders.

Vision for 4.2:

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Provide opportunities for open feedback with our partners

• Hold ongoing meetings with partners focused on goal-oriented collaboration to meet student needs

• Reinforce and recognize partners publicly in support of partnership activities

PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

• Summary of partnership activities

• Recognition of partnerships

Partnerships anchor our schools and students to the community we serve

UNPACKING THE COMMITMENT

Our schools are a vital part of the community. So too is the community a vital part of our schools. Supportive partnerships help us achieve our educational mission and connect our students and staff to the broader community.

Vision for 4.3:

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Document partnership activities that support student and staff activities  

• Provide reporting mechanism for staff and community  to submit artifacts and recognitions of partnership activities 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Documented artifacts of partnership activities